Red Lights

2012RRated R1hr 58m

Professor Margaret Matheson and her assistant, Tom Buckley, set out to debunk claims of paranormal activity. During their investigation, a legendary psychic comes out of retirement, and Buckley becomes obsessed with proving he's a fraud.

Red Lights

For Parents

16OK for kids 16+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Red Lights is a thriller about paranormal researchers investigating a famous psychic who may or may not be legit. It has some horror elements and some scary stuff, as well as fighting, arguing, a little blood and gore, and characters dying. And there's a general uneasy, tense feeling throughout the movie. Language is the other major issue, with strong words like "f--k" and "s--t" (though they're used relatively infrequently). An older character is seen popping unidentified prescription pills.

Sexual Content

Two central characters seem to be on the verge of some sexual tension, but it doesn't go anywhere.

Violence

Some violent and/or disturbing paranormal events, such as angry "ghosts" shaking the furniture, birds suddenly smashing into windows, or lights exploding. There are also some scary sequences, such as nightmares. Main characters die. There's a bloody fistfight in a bathroom. Some blood and gore is shown. Graphic photos are seen. Characters often argue or engage in tense discussions. A character performs a gruesome magic trick that makes it look as if he has pierced his bottom lip with a pen.

Red Lights' main theme is the idea of faith: whether or not to believe in something despite the absence of proof. It doesn't necessarily comment upon this positively or negatively, but it does suggest that people who do offer proof are frauds and are only negating the very concept of "faith." On a subtler level, the movie is about belonging.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

One character is seen popping some kind of prescription pills.

Legend

Age appropriate

Not an issue

Depends on your kid and your family

Not appropriate for kids of the age most likely to want to see it

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media,
a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.